From coast to coast, here’s where to find the most welcoming ski experiences.
While it’s heart-warming to see rainbow flags springing up in ski towns across North America and more resorts adding pride celebrations to their calendars yearly, many destinations have opened their arms to the LGBTQ+ community for decades. From coast to coast, here’s where to find the most welcoming ski experiences.
The Most LGBTQ+ Inclusive Ski Resorts in North America
1. Aspen/Snowmass, Colo.
Home to the world’s first and longest-running gay ski week, Aspen’s nearly half-century of open-mindedness is partly due to long-time local John Busch. After being reprimanded for dancing with a male friend in 1977 during the first unofficial gay ski week, Busch helped steer the local government to implement gay rights in 1979. These days, all four ski areas and nearly everyone in town embrace Aspen Gay Ski Week (AGSW), which celebrates its 47th anniversary Jan. 14-21 and serves as a fundraiser for local nonprofit AspenOUT.
“A few years ago, I remember driving from Snowmass into Aspen and seeing the rainbow flags on lamp posts in town, and it just hitting me, like wow. To get to live in a town that embraces that is pretty special,” says AGSW organizer Reed Lewis, who owns the Daly Bottle Shop and 81615 T-shirts in Snowmass.
When asked to name queer-friendly haunts in Aspen/Snowmass, Lewis says, “there’s nowhere that isn’t.”
Where to Stay
With locations in downtown Aspen and Snowmass Village, The Limelight Hotel is welcoming, convenient, colorful, and hip. Both locations offer an amazing complimentary breakfast (fresh baked goods, eggs, meets, chia pudding, etc.), a full-service restaurant and bar with live music and events all winter. The Snowmass Limelight is also home to one of the world’s largest outdoor hot tubs.
The Mountain Chalet has centrally located properties in Aspen and Snowmass and has been known for decades as one of the most affordable lodging options in the area. Initially owned by the Melville family, the Aspen Chalet’s new owners have launched a $100 million-plus renovation. The Snowmass location is still under the Melville umbrella. Although well-worn, it boasts a warm European charm, with an impressive free breakfast and outdoor pool.
Where to Dine and Après-Ski:
Beginning with breakfast and lunch, The Big Wrap is a beloved local institution in downtown Aspen and a fantastically affordable grab-and-go option. As advertised, the wraps are massive, with various themes and fillings from Thai to pesto. There are also tacos, salads, and a long list of smoothies.
In Snowmass, the long-standing and always welcoming lunch and dinner haunt is The Stew Pot, which boasts a new upstairs bar.
One of the classiest joints in town, you can’t beat a potent, handmade cocktail or multi-course dinner at Aspen’s Michelin-recommended Element 47 at The Little Nell.
For creative cocktails and comforting Tex-Mex, Mi Chola in Aspen is your spot. Fresh seafood lands at Aspen’s airport many times a week, and Clark’s Oyster Bar serves it up nearly still swimming. Also, you won’t find fresher sushi than at Matsuhisa.
Check the calendar at The Collective in Snowmass for live comedy and weekly events. As for the late-night party spot poppin’ nearly every night of the week, The Belly Up features A-list musicians and performances in a spectacularly intimate space while the classic J-Bar is Aspen’s it place.
Where to Ski
With four separate ski areas, it’s hard to go wrong, but many visitors don’t realize that Aspen Mountain, aka AJAX, does not have many beginner or intermediate trails. Built on a ridgeline, the slope angles are mostly steep, but there are a few cruising runs off Ruthie’s Chairlift and the slow-moving Gent’s Ridge. In addition to its fantastic blue and green runs and massive terrain park, Buttermilk can also be a secret place to ski fresh lines all day after a storm off of the Tiehack chair. Some of the world’s most pristinely groomed and uncrowded intermediate runs can be found on the lower part of Aspen Highlands, from Cloud Nine chair down. At the same time, Highland Bowl is famously the place for a knee-knocking hike up the knife-edge ridge before dropping into a powdery abyss. Snowmass is the place for everyone. As the second largest ski area in Colorado (after Vail), Snowmass has thousands of acres of slopes for every level of skier, the lion’s share leaning toward blue cruisers. Two Creeks is the lift for expansive and uncrowded blue runs, Assay Hill is the place for newbies while experts can explore the resort’s high points to their hearts’ content after a Poma ride up The Cirque.
2. Stowe, Vt.
It’s no wonder that Stowe is on the list, considering it just celebrated the 40th anniversary of Winter Rendezvous, welcoming hundreds of queer and allied skiers every January for a week-long pride festival. Throughout the winter, Stowe maintains the most welcoming, inclusive vibe of any ski destination in the East, not to mention a wealth of craft beer and ripping long groomers.
“The reason I like Stowe the most for skiing is because every single run is one chairlift from the bottom of the mountain to the top, so you get a long, nonstop cruiser run every time,” says Burlington resident Matty Benedetto, who makes regular weekday trips to Stowe for morning hot laps and has attended Winter Rendezvous for the last ten years.
Where to Stay
Located just down the hill from Stowe Mountain Resort, Topnotch Resort has played host to Winter Rendezvous for the last several years, but with a full-service spa, restaurant, pool, and fitness classes, it is a go-to spot anytime, especially for visitors seeking off-the-hill indulgences.
“It’s one of the nicer places if you’re not staying directly at the mountain,” Benedetto says. “My partner doesn’t ski at all, so he does the pool, the spa, there’s a fun bar … it’s a good mix of both worlds and the crème de la crème of Stowe.”
A classic lodge that was the first and, for a while, the only accommodation to welcome the Winter Rendezvous crowd in its earlier years, Commodores Inn is located about 8 miles from the slopes. Affordable and cozy with an indoor heated pool, hot tubs, and lively sports bar next door, the Inn runs a free shuttle to/from the slopes.
Where to Dine and Après-Ski
Bearing Sicilian heritage, Piecasso has been a local institution for decades. Touting itself as a “family pizzeria,” it brings an impressive beer and brown liquor selection. It is good for a quick slice for lunch, a round of weekly trivia, or live music in the evenings.
Named for the best burgers in Vermont, The Bench’s aptitude for comfort fare knows no end (hearty salads and even poutine). The place prides itself on its expansive local beer selection and wine list.
Serving up an unusual combination of brick oven pizza and sushi, The Matterhorn is another long-standing après favorite that’s conveniently the first establishment you hit on Mountain Road on the way back to town from a ski day. Overlooking the West Branch Little River, a heap of ahi nachos and an Aperol spritz hit the spot. There’s also live music and a late-night scene.
A newer haunt, Lower Bar’s logo is a reminder of how to safely ride a chairlift out East (the bar is coming down quickly, people). It offers an ever-changing menu of tasty bites, beers, and thoughtfully selected wines.
In a former autobody warehouse, Alfie’s Wild Ride is Stowe’s newest nightlife haunt just north of town. With an assortment of creative tacos and a long list of primarily local and regional brews, it’s the place to keep your movement rolling with cornhole, shuffleboard, and golf simulator.
Historically welcoming, the solar-powered von Trapp Brewery is worth the trip for a few slugs of award-winning pilsners. They are especially tasty after a jaunt on skinny skis since the place is surrounded by 60 kilometers of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails. Operated by allies, the Trapp Family Lodge offers choice accommodation for visitors who prefer to be surrounded by nature.
Let’s not forget that Stowe is also home to what is possibly The East Coast’s most popular craft brewery, The Alchemist. Beer snobs from near and far come just to get the famed Heady Topper IPA on tap. The expansive, eclectic space welcomes humans of all backgrounds (but per Vermont law, no dogs inside). The brewpub’s Warren’s Kitchen serves creative comfort fare from Wednesday to Sunday.
Where to Ski
As Benedetto says, one of Stowe’s most alluring features is its long, groomed runs. The Fourrunner Quad on Mt. Mansfield is his go-to for hot laps. Nose Dive, which starts steep and mellows out, is one of the longest cruisers in the region.
“I’m channeling my past ski racer self and am a hard-charging groomer kind of guy,” he says. “When the sun sets over Mt. Mansfield, it can get shadowy, so I hit sunny Spruce in the afternoon.”
3. Mammoth Lakes, Calif.
Besides the fact that Mammoth Mountain was open for skiing nearly the entire year following its unprecedented snowfall in 2022-’23, its perennial long season, whopping snow totals, and sprawling terrain are just the beginning of its alluring characteristics. About a five-hour drive from Los Angeles and seven hours from San Francisco, Mammoth Lakes is an open-minded town with a tight-knit queer community. It’s also home to California’s highest annual pride celebration, Elevation Mammoth, which brings in hundreds of visitors every winter and celebrates 22 years this March.
Where to Stay
Cinnamon Bear Inn is a cozy option for couples, located in the middle of town and a 5-minute free trolley ride from the gondola. The bed and breakfast’s 22 rooms offer a rustic and industrial chic mix, plus a hearty continental buffet breakfast.
A larger but still welcoming option with ski-in, ski-in, and ski-out access is Mammoth Mountain Inn. Situated directly at the base area, the Inn’s rooms have been renovated, the bar is buzzing every afternoon, and there’s a pool and hot tub. The A-frame’s overall vibe is reminiscent of a classic ski lodge.
For visitors who prefer to get away, watching the snow fall on the pines in front of a fire in a private cabin at Tamarack Lodge is the way to go. The Lodge lies 3 miles from town and 6 miles from the slopes, surrounded by lakes and wilderness. Surrounded by lakes and wilderness, there’s live music nearly every weekend at the onsite Lakefront Restaurant, and miles of cross-country skiing are accessible outside your door.
Where to Dine and Après-Ski
Mammoth Coffee Roasting Co. knows how to handle its beans and serves decadent donuts, pastries, breakfast burritos, avocado toast, and quick gourmet aprés fare like pork sliders and grilled cheese. Owned and operated by Eastern Sierra native Andrea Walker, Stellar Brew is deeply involved in community love and emphasizes scrumptious coffee and organic breakfast and lunch fare – burritos, wraps, acai bowls, and salads. Sporting a more industrial vibe, Black Velvet Coffee focuses on eye-opening brews and offers a thoughtful selection of wine and beer with a $5 pint/glass happy hour.
The Mogul is a second-generation, family-run institution, a wood-paneled steakhouse specializing in home-cooked seafood, vegetables, and decadent desserts.
One Dish Bistro also delivers a warm vibe for casual but creative burgers, salads, and international fusion fare from brunch to dinner.
Giovanni’s has been the go-to favorite for pizza for nearly 40 years, with dozens of toppings, eclectic specialty pies, and local beers, a lengthy wine list in a classic sports bar ambiance.
Also nearing the four-decade mark, family-run Roberto’s Café is the place for Mexican fare, including spicy daily specials and a three-hour après deals menu.
For fine dining, in addition to the Lakefront Restaurant, hit Skadi’s for fresh seafood, wild game and Scandinavian-inspired dishes.
As for nightlife (and a serious Mai Tai), Lakanuki, within stumbling distance to the gondola, is your spot for inspired boat drinks and dancing the night away.
Where to Ski
Deeply involved in the queer community, long-time local Sabrina Rose worked through nearly every department on the mountain, from ski school to maintenance to patrol. She knows where to find stashes amid Mammoth’s dizzying 3,500 acres. Advanced skiers, follow her lead.
“On a day when the whole mountain is open, I love lapping Climax on the upper gondola section, into middle Dry Creek, lower Dry Creek and then Chair 2 to mid station back up,” Rose says. “It’s steep enough, you’re not going to get beginners and you can always find a fresh line. When the upper mountain is closed, I love lapping Chair 22 on a powder day.”
Rose is a fan of Mammoth’s particular brand of dense powder.
“Mammoth wind buff is like carve-able chalk. While most people do groomer laps on windy days, I prefer wind buff on Chair 5 – the Face, Triangle and Sliver.”
4. Whistler Blackcomb, B.C.
Whistler Blackcomb’s resort staff is trained explicitly in inclusivity and sensitivity. (Photo: Getty Images)As a testament to its queer-friendliness, it made history when it included the first-ever Pride House Pavilion during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a safe space for queer athletes, staff, and volunteers. Whistler Village is adorned with rainbow crosswalks, and its public toilets are gender neutral. Whistler Pride celebrated its 32th anniversary in 2025 and lands again Jan. 25- Feb. 1, 2026. Home to Whistler Rainbow Connection and Sea to Sky Allies, Whistler’s resort staff is trained explicitly in inclusivity and sensitivity by Vancouver-based nonprofit QMUNITY.
Less than a two-hour drive, shuttle, or bus ride away from Vancouver, Whistler is the most easily accessed ski area on this list. Also, boasting a dizzying 5,280-foot vertical drop, it spans the gamut of snow and weather conditions, sometimes all on the same day. Skiers might face a full-on whiteout at the highest point of the resort while 1,000 feet lower down on the slopes. Peaceful flakes fall benevolently. Still lower, you might find sun, slush, and even a rainbow. As the maritime climate brings a mixed bag, Whistler/Blackcomb’s ridiculous mass of terrain–8,000-plus skiable acres–delivers a bounty for every level of skier.
Where to Stay
As a long-standing partner of Whistler Pride that also hosts queer community programs year-round, The Aava Hotel Whistler is a great choice. Situated directly on the Sea-to-Sky Highway and a short walk from the Whistler Village Gondola, it’s not only convenient, but with gas fireplaces in its cozy rooms, plus an outdoor pool and hot tub, it’s an inviting and relatively affordable option. Situated smack in the middle of the village, The Crystal Lodge, with a fitness area and sauna, is an excellent choice for families or larger groups, offering one- to three-bedroom suites.
Where to Dine and Après-Ski:
For fine dining, The Wildflower at the Fairmont has a yummy breakfast menu with a pick-your-benedict corner and a broad selection of locally sourced meat and seafood dishes, pastas, and salads. A quieter spot with awesome fire pits and views of Nita Lake, Cure Lounge & Patio does comfort food right, from vegan fare to filet mignon.
Although it touts itself as a gin bar, the food (including happy hour) is also on-point at The Brickworks. If you’re looking for a party, both the aprés and late-night versions can be found in the form of fun drinks, live music, and weekly events (including karaoke to live music) at Black’s Pub. Another surefire stop for burgers, bar food, and every form of revelry from breakfast into the wee hours: Longhorn Saloon.
To fully turn into a puddle via a more detoxing form of aprés, head to the thermal pools at Scandinave Spa.
Where to Ski
To get your head around the sheer spread of 8,000 acres, know that you could ski Whistler for a week and not hit the same run twice. For carvers who like to channel their inner downhill racer, the long and consistently steep Dave Murray will make you feel like an Olympian when you can have it to yourself. Nick Voutour from Whistler Pride points steep-seekers to Blackcomb, reached by the scenic PEAK 2 PEAK cable car, where his favorite run is Glacier.
“It grants access to Spanky’s Ladder, a double black run that always impresses on a powder day,” he says.
For skiers looking to explore further afield, connect with Whistler’s Backcountrygayz.
5. Telluride, Colo.
Tucked into its pristine, remote corner of the Colorado Rockies, Telluride is worth the drive for a quintessentially Western and queer-friendly ski holiday. Embraced by the LGBTQ+ community for decades, Telluride hosts its 25th annual Pride event from Feb. 28 to March 7, 2026. The hometown of three-time Olympian/silver medalist Gus Kenworthy, Telluride is still “hands down” the former pro’s No. 1 favorite mountain.
“After skiing all over the place I can honestly say the terrain is some of the best in the world,” Kenworthy says. “The scenery is unmatched and the base of the resort goes right down into town, which makes for great accessibility and aprés ski options. Also, because Telluride is so far from any other resorts or big cities, it’s never particularly crowded. The busiest day of the season is less busy than a weekday at rival resorts.”
Where to Stay
Accessed by skis or gondola rides, Mountain Lodge provides an authentic slopeside experience, complete with sweeping views of the surrounding San Juan Mountains and lodging options ranging from cozy studios to six-room luxury cabins. It suits groups and parties of all sizes. Its in-house restaurant, The View, is a hotspot for boozy brunch or gourmet dinner. As for an in-town option, The Hotel Telluride is central and comfortable, its rooms and suites equipped with seating areas and kitchenettes.
Where to Dine and Après-Ski
A hip, historic space attached to a bookshop, Bruno delivers eye-opening beverages, breakfast, tasty bites, an inspired wine list for aprés, not to mention a few combination items (espresso martini, anyone?) to please the masses.
Winner of international pizza competitions, The Brown Dog is a local institution. With its framed sports jerseys and dated dining setup, the unassuming, in-town haunt produces some of Colorado’s tastiest pies. The fresh, spicy salsa at Esperanza’s indicates enough that the family-owned joint knows its way around classic Mexican fare. Although it closes early, its tequila selection deserves sampling. True that Telluride is as land-locked as a destination can be, Kazahana’s sushi is surprisingly fresh and delicious. The place offers a thoughtful selection of cooked dishes, too, as well as a decent happy hour. For upscale bites (including fresh oysters) and creative cocktails, The Timber Room is within stumbling distance to/from the free gondola. Locally brewed suds are never far away at Telluride Brewing, whose OG location off the beaten path is an afternoon hotspot and whose Mountain Village brewpub serves tasty pub fare. In town, near the gondola, Stronghouse Brew Pub also whips up a fine variety of suds and bar food.
Where to Ski
On a powder day, seasoned skiers should take advantage of the wide-open euphoria of Revelation Bowl. There is no wrong choice; some fresh powder, even days after a storm, will likely be found along the ridgeline. Aptly named See Forever, this area offers unparalleled views of surrounding peaks. Chairs 9 and 14 are the go-to bangs for the buck for high-speed access to thigh-sizzling expert terrain.
Growing up and learning to ski in Colorado, freelance writer Shauna Farnell relishes discovering the unique character of ski areas worldwide. A former media correspondent for the International Ski Federation (FIS), she has had the opportunity to do just that. Also a contributor to publications such as The New York Times, National Geographic, and Thrillist, she strives to highlight her subject’s unseen color and untold angle. In addition to skiing, she also loves snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, and exploring new, welcoming places. She lives in Breckenridge, Colo., with her wife.
